I have applied for the Aid and Attendance Benefit for my Mom as the surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran. From what I have been told, she qualifies for this benefit however it seems to be taking an awfully long time and it sometimes feels we are now getting the run around...I am sure there are others of you out there who have gone through this....on average what time frame has it taken for this process to be approved, from start to finish....We began this back in February and still it drags on...Thanks for any info you can give. I am Mom's caregiver 24/7 and cannot work because I cannot leave her.
I have been looking into this..
I plan to call a lawyer I know that does pro bono work for Vietnam Vets in his county in another state, as his father died waiting for benefits many years ago, and this is what led him to be a lawyer and working with Vietnam Vets.
Yes, daycare is paid for by the VA, he is 100% service connected Permanent and Total.
ALL his health care is at the VA and we pay nothing, including day care and respite.. today we picked up his new mobility scooter, and the VA paid for that and the lift, receiver that the car needed.
In the end, A&A is generally for non service connected disabilities for veterans or their surviving spouse on limited incomes. From what I read, I think what we get may qualify more under housebound then A&A, I know that he qualified for both from his original rating.
Post 9/11 veteran caregivers DO get paid from the VA without a lot of paperwork and hassles, when they started that program I felt it was unfair for older vets, as my hubby is Vietnam and there are many Korea and WWII vets that could use more help with caregivers.
Since I don't spend any of my own money, I don't have income and I am supported by hubby with his VA and SS benefits, I am guessing they feel I wont qualify for anymore..
I will see what I can find out this coming week...
I recently was told by someone that works the VA, that not all programs are the same in every VA district, she felt highly disappointed at what few programs are offered here for veterans compared to other parts of the country where she worked.. they are all VA, but divided into sections and some have more funds for programs then others.
1) Is an original copy of my father's discharge papers necessary to get VA benefits for my mother? Is there any chance that there are records somewhere?
2) Should we wait until my mom's LTC runs out before applying - that is, if we can?
Thanks!